June 2018 PMID 29116373

The fundamental theorem of natural selection with mutations.

William F Basener, John C Sanford

Mentions

31
Peak: 3 in Jan 2019
across 3 sources since Jan 2018

Extended reach

79,861
potential audience

Total likes

2,031

Video views

41,345

Mentions per month

Jan 2018 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter22 posts
  • YouTube5 videos
  • Blogs4 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a critical stance toward the article, with users citing it as evidence that mutation alone causes fitness decline, challenging traditional interpretations of evolution, as seen in phrases like 'falsify & flip Fisher's evolution theorem'. The tone varies from skeptical to analytical, engaging with technical and philosophical implications of the research, which highlights its potential impact but also reveals ongoing debates and controversy.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions challenge or criticize traditional views supported by the publication, indicating a tendency toward disagreement or skepticism.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest by referencing complex theories, experiments, and debates about mutations and evolution.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many users deeply analyze the article, citing specific concepts, mathematical models, and scientific debates, demonstrating significant engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Reactions focus on fundamental challenges to existing theories, suggesting their potential to influence ongoing scientific discussions, albeit with some skepticism.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses the fundamental theorem of natural selection, originally proposed by R. A. Fisher in 1935, which states that the rate of change of a species' average fitness is equal to its genetic variance but does not consider mutations.
  • The authors reexamine Fisher's theorem by including mutations in their model, showing that the change in mean fitness is influenced by both genetic variance and mutational effects, leading to a revised version called the fundamental theorem of natural selection with mutations.
  • This new theorem provides a more realistic and detailed understanding of evolution, highlighting that mutations significantly impact the process, which differs from Fisher’s original vision that assumed mutations would continually increase fitness without limitations.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
(Sichu Lu(Sichu.Lu218@proton.me)
@lu_sichu · X

https://t.co/hqLLWLGoHZ

Jul 19, 2023 · 3 likes · 3,439 followers View post →
Curiosa Biología
@CuriosaBiologia · X

@JACKRODAS2 @Solof1sincirco @Hjorvik @DrBioblogo @VaronDSchrdngr @Papelicoblanco @VaryIngweion @loq_digalarubia @jamoncillos @carbonlump @octaup94 @_ShiroCC_ @laurabaguirre @GGallegos24 "The fundamental theorem of natural selection with mutations” "Using computer simulation to understand mutation accumulation dynamics and genetic load” "Expression of an antimicrobial peptide via the chloroplast genome to control phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi”.

May 15, 2019 · 1 like · 10,746 followers View post →
Yohan J. John
@DrYohanJohn · X

"What we have discovered is that, contrary to Fisher’s claim, continuously increasing population fitness is not an inherent property of life. Mutations by themselves drive fitness down." https://t.co/6lwQ1uZR7e

Feb 9, 2021 · 1 like · 7,524 followers View post →
David Murdoch
@DavidMurdochArt · X

@JamesonCal After we re-formulated Fisher’s model...with a more realistic distribution of mutations the population often undergoes perpetual fitness decline. https://t.co/A8dDeNURD4

Mar 21, 2019 · 1 like · 680 followers View post →
Jornal da Ciência (jornaldaciencia.com.br)
@tdibrasilorg · X

@biohackerslab @DurationHealth A Humanidade precisa urgente de biohackers "https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl">https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl

Jun 1, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 374 followers View post →
TheScienceSays….
@ScientiaRerum · X

The study of genetics and the emerging concept of entropy is fascinating! Check this... William F. Basener / John C. Sanford The Journal of Mathematical Biology https://t.co/LK1vUMZGGI #Genetics #ScienceTwitter #sciencefactsamazing

Aug 30, 2021 · 1 like · 4 followers View post →

All mentions

Sidetracked
@SDAFS56788141 · X

@Barney02073101 @TheHistoryGuy07 @AiG and another https://t.co/WWLvMmDgDC

Oct 19, 2025 · 505 followers View post →
Sidetracked
@SDAFS56788141 · X

@Just1Atheist @WComing78932759 @joeandthegiant @AgainstAtheismX https://t.co/AdCowxFeg1

Oct 14, 2025 · 505 followers View post →
Protestant Nightcrawler
@PNightcrawler · X

@Obsidiansand9 @QuestionErythng @AiG Okay, my bad, read this one instead: https://t.co/lc11cRCegU

Aug 20, 2025 · 301 followers View post →
Sidetracked
@SDAFS56788141 · X

@_OKJ__ @NotEvolution1 @Jaydon225 Here's one which reconsiders mutation and selection. https://t.co/AdCowxFeg1

May 10, 2025 · 505 followers View post →
Sidetracked
@SDAFS56788141 · X

@MKSVPER @jphook87_JLewis @oliverburdick Net loss https://t.co/AdCowxFeg1

Apr 3, 2025 · 505 followers View post →
Boch Choi
@RealBochChoi · X

@GSpellchecker https://t.co/uWIUP3Tliy

Mar 25, 2025 · 218 followers View post →
Jan van Meerten
@JanvanMeerten · X

@Scylaxx @JongGerdien De paper waar op gereageerd wordt is eveneens verschenen in Journal of Mathematical Biology. Voor de volledigheid: https://t.co/uUls41rNtM.

Aug 28, 2024 · 751 followers View post →
نبيل
@nobel650 · X

@ALNYJD https://t.co/gcxtOsA7F3 وممكن ترفق لنا كيف استحالة التطور رياضيا ؟ لأن المبادئ الأساسية كلها مفسرة رياضيا ومرفق لك معادلاتها -مع العلم اننا ما نحتاج لدليل رياضي على أن الطيارة تطير- ومرة أخرى اقولك لا تنقل شيء ما تفهمه . https://t.co/TtpDoUBbPm

Jul 2, 2024 · 2,852 followers View post →
Kawai_Yusuke
@fiddler_K · X

創造論者によるフィッシャーの基本定理に対する誤読による批判論文(https://t.co/9xQFrAv8FB)への反論/Fisher, Fitness, and the Fundamentals of Population Genetics -Panda'sThumb-https://t.co/UOZ7wVWnnO

Apr 25, 2024 · 350 followers View post →
(Sichu Lu(Sichu.Lu218@proton.me)
@lu_sichu · X

https://t.co/hqLLWLGoHZ

Jul 19, 2023 · 3 likes · 3,439 followers View post →
TheScienceSays….
@ScientiaRerum · X

The study of genetics and the emerging concept of entropy is fascinating! Check this... William F. Basener / John C. Sanford The Journal of Mathematical Biology https://t.co/LK1vUMZGGI #Genetics #ScienceTwitter #sciencefactsamazing

Aug 30, 2021 · 1 like · 4 followers View post →
FRANCISCO CHAVEZ
@Fco_Chavez_ · X

RT @tdibrasilorg: @biohackerslab @DurationHealth A Humanidade precisa urgente de biohackers "https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl">https://t.co/BxSCqwiZ…

Aug 18, 2021 · 1 share · 27 followers View post →
Jornal da Ciência (jornaldaciencia.com.br)
@tdibrasilorg · X

@biohackerslab @DurationHealth A Humanidade precisa urgente de biohackers "https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl">https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl

Jun 1, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 374 followers View post →
Jornal da Ciência (jornaldaciencia.com.br)
@tdibrasilorg · X

A Humanidade precisa urgente de biohackers https://t.co/BxSCqwiZEl via @YouTube

Jun 1, 2021 · 374 followers View post →
Yohan J. John
@DrYohanJohn · X

"What we have discovered is that, contrary to Fisher’s claim, continuously increasing population fitness is not an inherent property of life. Mutations by themselves drive fitness down." https://t.co/6lwQ1uZR7e

Feb 9, 2021 · 1 like · 7,524 followers View post →
KSG4JESUS
@Prince_Kindou · X

@albynn2 @mizzati21 @SVimaire Pardon pour le retard, les aléas de la vie... Je l'ai trouvé : https://t.co/4twMOBZpb3 Via cette article https://t.co/6ClWSJlwfb

Jul 18, 2020 · 134 followers View post →
Hannington Bukomeko
@hbukomeko · X

@Viktor_shinski @cobbo3 As science advanced, mathematicians found the maths inadequate and have since written to expose the weakness in the theorem. Science is not a religion. Things change. Some know earlier than others and pass it on. https://t.co/a8aws8knXw now go and be ignorant no more

Nov 12, 2019 · 1,064 followers View post →
Hannington Bukomeko
@hbukomeko · X

@Viktor_shinski @cobbo3 Evolution assumes adaptation through the mutation-selection process and was mathematically supported by Fisher's theorem of natural selection. the theorem was debunked https://t.co/a8aws8knXw and the math does not add up. https://t.co/Vjp6cCPUl3

Nov 11, 2019 · 1,064 followers View post →
Curiosa Biología
@CuriosaBiologia · X

@JACKRODAS2 @Solof1sincirco @Hjorvik @DrBioblogo @VaronDSchrdngr @Papelicoblanco @VaryIngweion @loq_digalarubia @jamoncillos @carbonlump @octaup94 @_ShiroCC_ @laurabaguirre @GGallegos24 "The fundamental theorem of natural selection with mutations” "Using computer simulation to understand mutation accumulation dynamics and genetic load” "Expression of an antimicrobial peptide via the chloroplast genome to control phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi”.

May 15, 2019 · 1 like · 10,746 followers View post →
David Murdoch
@DavidMurdochArt · X

@JamesonCal After we re-formulated Fisher’s model...with a more realistic distribution of mutations the population often undergoes perpetual fitness decline. https://t.co/A8dDeNURD4

Mar 21, 2019 · 1 like · 680 followers View post →
David L. Hagen
@DavidLHagen · X

@EdDarrell You can't even have evolution until you solve abiogenesis. Now Basener & Sanford 2017 show mutations quantitatively degrade, not increase fitness. You bear the scientific burden of proof to overcome those barriers https://t.co/sMuIR2FpNm

Feb 26, 2019 · 3,298 followers View post →
David L. Hagen
@DavidLHagen · X

Yes Basener & Sanford 2017 falsify & flip Fisher's evolution theorem, showing mutations in real populations cause decreasing fitness. https://t.co/lv7DTJpLWA Michael J Behe cites & published peer reviewed literature. See Scholar https://t.co/uk4JILNIDW Why continue to smear Behe? https://t.co/O4KPpd4K3S

Feb 26, 2019 · 3,298 followers View post →